A cavity-coupled Rydberg array

Scalable quantum computers and quantum networks require the combination of quantum processing nodes with efficient light-matter interfaces to distribute quantum information in local or long-distance quantum networks. In particular, in neutral atom arrays, highly excited Rydberg states are used to realize high-fidelity quantum gates and optical cavities are used as photonic interfaces for generating remote entanglement.

While Rydberg coupling and strong cavity coupling have been realized in separate experiments, achieving both in the same machine has been an outstanding challenge. Here, we present a novel cavity-coupled Rydberg array that reaches this long-standing goal. We prepare, detect and control individual atoms in an optical tweezer array, couple them strongly to the optical mode of a high-finesse optical resonator and excite them in a controlled way to Rydberg states. In particular, we demonstrate the compatibility of strong Rydberg interactions and strong atom-light coupling at the single-particle level, which is enabled by a careful shielding of electric fields.

Our presented experimental platform opens the path to several new directions, including remote logical qubit entanglement, distributed quantum computation, Rydberg-enabled photonic state engineering and quantum simulation of long-range interactions and open quantum systems.